Wall structure



27,1936. 4 N. N. TOMASULO 2,053,843

vWALL STRUCTURE Original Filed May 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Wig i4 0d. 27, 1936. TQMASULQ 7 2,058,843

WALL STRUCTURE Original Filed May 22, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics WALL s'mucrrrms Nestor N. Tomasulo, Philadelphia, Pa.

. Substitute for abandoned application Serial No. i 454,649, May 22, 1930. This application March 21, 1936, Serial No. W517i 21 Claims. (Cl. "22-41) I of hollow blocks used in a wallstructure.

It is also an object of this invention to produce a new and practical hollow building block.

It is also an object of this invention to produce a new and improved hollow wall structure.

-It is an object of this inventionto produce a.

wall structure which is-specifically reinforced and securely tied together both horizontally and vertically. This wall structure is especially adapted for portable buildings as well as buildings calculated to withstand the ravages of earthquakes in any locality where earthquakes may occur.

In addition to the stable qualities resulting from reinforcements and longitudinal and vertical tying it is an object to render the wall structure highly heat insulating by the use of horizontal dead air spaces which receive said reinforcing means as well as tying means.

Other objects will be revealed in the specific description of the invention which is set forth and disclosed in the specific embodiments which are merely illustrative of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows, on a reduced scale, a perspective view of a fragment of the wall structure showing 'generally the manner of assemblage including the vertical tie plates and longitudinal tie rods and sealing cables.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section transversely of a reinforced hollow building block shown in interposed relation between a portion of .an upper block and a portion of a lower block.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an aligning reinforcing sealing member for uniting the ends of two adjacent blocks through the use of sealing 0 showing in section the application of sealing material at the joint between two adjacent blocks and the specific relation fot the member to-the other parts of the wall structure.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal longitudinal section on the line 6-5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of reinforcing sealing members adapted to be applied to the joints of adjacent blocks.

Figs. 9 and 10 are elevations of corner fragments of a wall structure showing the manner, 5 generally, of the assemblage of the hollow building blocks which are T-shaped in cross-section.

Fig. 11 is a section on line ii-ll of a hollow wall structure composed of T-shaped hollow building blocks. In the wall construction shown in Fig. 1 in the exposed open ends of the blocks are closed by seal plates as shown. The seal plates shown are secured in position by the bolts 23 as clearly indicated which extends lengthwise through the '15 wall from one end of the wall to the other and through suitable apertures in the plates, orthe bolts may be anchored in the wall construction if desired so that shorter bolts'may be used. The

. ends of the bolts which pass through the aper- 2o tures of the seal plates are preferably threaded and have spring washers applied between the .nuts and the plates. A suitable size for the blocks 6 is 8 inches wide. 8 inches high and 12 inches long. The blocks 8 are hollow being re- 25 inforced by a central tube or hollow cylinder supported by four webs which are fixed to the tube and to the median portions of the four walls as shown. Each block 6 is thereby divided into five separated dead air spaces thereby preventing convection currents since the spaces are horizontal in the wall and of small transverse cross section. This arrangement affords uniform heatv insulation in any portion of the wall. The dead air spaces prevent the transfer of heat in both hot and cold weather in a mosteflective and practical manner. The walls, webs. and tubular wall portions are at least an inch thick. Of course any suitable wall thickness may be chosen depending on the size of building and the ma- 0 terial used in making the blocks.

In Fig; 2 the blocks have upper and lower grooves I and 8 respectively. These grooves are substantially three fourths of an inch deep in each block and their diameter substantially one and one-half inches. Of course any other desired size may beselected depending on the materials used and strength desired.-

The channel formed by one set of grooves may be used as a seal by applying a cable'of hemp to the one channel. The cable to be thoroughly saturated and coated with tar pitch or as'phalt'um and thereby provide a liquid seal in the horizon tel joints or seamsbetween the blocks. The channel formed by the other set of grooves may be used to receive a tie rod or cable to bind the parts together. It is preferred that the ends of the rods or cables be passed through apertures in seal plates such as that shown in Figs. 1, 9 and 10. The ends of the cables or rods should be provided with threaded portions for nuts and spring washers. Any suitable means not mentioned may be used to secure the seal plates in sealing position over the exposed ends of the blocks at the corners of the wall. The tie rods 23 and the sealing cables 22 may be arranged in staggered relation in the wall structure, 1. e. in a seam the channel at the outside may contain a cable seal and a tie rod contained in the inner channel while in the next seam above or below the tie rod will be in the outside channel and the sealing cable in the inner channel etc., throughout the whole wall structure. The tie rods may also be placed in sealing material such as pitch tar or asphaltum or any suitable sealing composition.

In Fig. 2 it is clearly disclosed that the upper and lower walls of each block are proyided with corrugation concentric to the grooves I and 8. Ifthere would be any accumulation of moisture the lower corrugations would direct the liquid to the outer walls of the block for the lower half of the block while the upper wall portions of the central tube cylinder would divert the liquid of the upper half of the block also to the outer walls thereby preventing or retarding the transfer of liquid entirely through the block transversely of the block and wall structure.

In Figs. 3, 6, 7 and 8 are represented aligning members I2. These members I 2 fit or are secured within the opposed ends of adjacent blocks. Figs. 4 and 5 show section members I! applied to hollow building blocks 6 similar to the blocks 8 disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2. These members besides aiding in the aligning of the blocks serve in reinforcing the joints between the ends of the blocks as wellas provide an effective mortar or cement seal H between the ends of the blocks as shown clearly in thesefigures.

If members l2 such. as shown in Fig. 6 are used it will require four of them at every vertical joint as appears to be obvious from an inspection of Fig. 4. In the form of device shown in Figs. 3, 6, 7 and 8 the members I! are provided with concave corrugation l1. Figures '7 and 8 have portions l5 including stops l5. The members I2 having the concave portions I'I represent the preferred form of construction. The concave portions l1 form ample space. to receive mortar or cement ll and the mortar or cement is not wasted but makes a substantial and effective interlock for the mortar or cement between the adjacent ends of the blocks. With the form shown in Figs. '7 and 8 only two members are needed at the ad- Jacent ends for a vertical joint structure. The

' long portion II forms the backing for the cement II for the lowerhalf of the vertical seam. The member I! as shown in Fig. 7 is made without the flanges II.

In Fig. 8 the flanges I4 are turned outwardly instead of inwardly as shown at M infFlg. 6. These members or similar members may be used in the wall structure of Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11. These members are made from sheet material shaped and cut in suitable dies. Such noncorrosive sheet metal as galvanized sheet steel or iron, stainless steel are contemplated but any suitable material maybe selected.

Figs. '9, 10 and 11 represent a modification of wall and block construction in which the hollow blocks 20 are T-shaped in cross section. These T-shaped blocks 20 are set up or laid in staggered relation as clearly indicated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. In this wall construction any line drawn straight and transversely through the wall will strike at least one dead air space thus guaranteeing a very high degree of heat insulation. In this connection it is contemplated that such aligning and reinforcing members l2 as are shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are to be used to make the sealed joints between the adjacentends of the blocks 20. These blocks should also be provided with channel forming grooves to receive both tying and sealing rods or cables. Of course if desired the use of ribs and grooves may be resorted to as indicated in the lower portionof Fig. 11 wherein the block H is provided with ribs nesting in grooves of the T- shaped block in which case tying rods or cables may be placed in hollow portions of the blocks. The blocks 20 may also contain suitable reinforcing webs as c and d as clearly indicated. In these T-shaped blocks the leg of the T should be longer than the top portion is thick 1. e., a should be greater than a as clearly indicated in Fig. 11. This greater dimension at a is necessary to afford space for mortar or cement in the vertical longitudinal seams. The thickness of the wall b is greater than a+a' (hence b a+a) In Fig. 11 is shown a special L-shaped block 2| which is necessary to start with at the base of the wall and'to finish with at the top of the wall. The two large faces of these blocks are not provided with ribs but are made plain or roughened. The small horizontal faces may be provided with channel forming grooves to receive sealing cables or tying rods or cables. If desired the rib and groove construction may be used instead of the channel forming grooves or as a third alternative these small horizontal faces may be left plain.

These blocks may be made of terra cotta, brick clay, fire clay, sand, cement and gravel composition or any other suitable ceramic materials or compositions thereof.

These blocks may be used in making portable building structures, garages and other small buildings also dwelling houses, ofilce buildings, etc.

Although the reinforcing, sealing and aligning members H, as shown in Figs. 3 to 8, inclusive,

are of particular contour in cross section, it is self evident that any suitable cross-sectional contour may be selected so that they may be assembled properly with such block constructions as are shown in Figs. 1,2 and 11.

It is also to be observed generally that changes of contour withinthe scope of this invention as disclosed and claimed and utilizing the principles of said invention are contemplated by applicant and belong to him.

- some of them are vertical and some are horizontal whereby horizontal hollow spaces are provided' in combination with aligning, reinforcing and joint sealing members, said members .being telescopically arranged in engagementwith one end of said block, said members having reduced portions forming stop means which engage the webs of said blocks, said stop means adapted to maintain the adjacent ends of blocks in spaced aosaess peripherally and outside of the webs being entirely unobstructed by said members, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks are adapted to receive a peripherally unobstructed continuous mortar seal of uniform cross-section.

2. In a wall structure, including a block having radiating reinforcing webs on its interior, said webs forming longitudinal, horizontal, dead air spaces in said block in combination with aligning, reinforcing, and sealing members, said members extending into and telescopically engaging the end of the hollow block, said members having reduced portions forming stop means engaging the webs of said blocks, said members extending from the end of said hollow block and adapted to extend into and telescopically engage the end of an adjacent hollow. block, said members being suificiently spaced from said block to receive sealing material between said members and said block, the end of said block peripherally and outside of the webs being entirely unobstructed by said members, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks are adapted to receive a peripherally unobstructed continuous mortarseal of uniform cross-section.

3. A wall structure, including a hollow block having longitudinal, horizontal webs forming horizontal dead air spaces within said block, in combination with aligning, reinforcing and sealing members, said members extending into and telescopically engaging the interior of the hollow block at the end portions thereof, said members having reduced portions forming stop means engaging the webs of said blocks, said members extending fromsaid block and adapted to engage the hollow end portion of an adjacent hollow block, said members being spaced from said block to receive sealing, material between the block and the members, said members bein formed of sheet material and provided with reinforcing flanges at the edges of the members, the end of said block peripherally and outside of the websbeing entirely unobstructed by said members, wherebythe space between the ends of adjacent blocks are adaptedto receive a peripherallyunobstructed continuous mortar seal of uniform cross-section.

4. A wall structure, including a hollowbuilding block having horizontal longitudinal webs forming horizontal dead air spaces in said block, in combinationwith aligning reinforcing and sealing members, said members extending into the end of the hollow block and protruding therefrom and adapted to extend intov the end of an adjacent block, said members having reduced portions forming stop means engaging the webs of saidblocks, said members being spacedfrom the block and having concave portions at the end'of the block to receive sealing material to fill the spaces including the concave portions, the

end of said block peripherally and outside of the webs being entirely unobstructedby said members, whereby thespace between the ends of adjacent blocksare adaptedto receive a peripherally unobstructed continuous mortar seal of uniform cross-section. e g I 5. A wall structuraincluding ahollow building bloclr having vertical, horizontaiand longitudinal receive a continuous peripheral uniform cross-section. a 1

horizontal bottom walls of said block having reinforcing corrugations forming relatively large grooves in said walls located on each. side -cave portions at the end portion of the block to receive sealing material in said spaces including said concave portions whereby said members may be securely sealed in the end portion of a hollow block, the end of said block peripherally and outside of the webs being entirely unobstructed by said members, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks are adapted to receive a peripherally unobstructed continuous mortar seal of uniform cross-section.

6. A wall structure, including a hollow block having vertical horizontal and longitudinal webs forming horizontal dead air spaces in said block, in combination with an aligning reinforcing and sealing member, said member extending partially telescopically into the end of the'block, a portion of, the member extending from the end of the block adapted to enter the end portion of an adjacent hollow block, said member'having concave portions at its center and at the end of" the block, said member having stops to engage the end portions of the webs of the block, saidmember being made of sheet material and having reinforcing flanges on the edges of the member,

the end of said block peripherally and'outside of the webs being entirely unobstructed by said members, whereby the space between the ends of adally unobstructed continuous mortar seal of uniform cross-section.

'7. A wall structure, including horizontal and vertical webs said webs forming horizontal dead air spaces, the top and bottom walls of said blocks having longitudinal reinforcing corrugations forming relatively large grooves in said wallslo- Jacent blocks are adapted to receive a periphercated on each side of the vertical web whereby tie rods and sealing material may be received in the grooves to securely tie, the blocks together and eflectivelyseal the horizontal joints be- I tween the blocks in combination with sealing members to seal the joints between the ends of the blocks, said seals comprising members en- .gaging the block telescopically'and having stops on the members engaging the webs to prevent undue insertion of said members into said block, thereby leaving the peripheral portion of said block outside of said webs wholly unobstructed to mortar seal of 8.1In a wall structure. including a hollow building block having longitudinal, vertical and horizontal webs said webs forming longitudinal dead airspaces, the top and of the vertical webs, whereby tie rods and sealing materialmay be received in said grooves,

to securely tie the blocks togetherand efi'ectively seal the horizontal joints between the blocks in combinationwith sealing members for the ends of the blocks, said seals comprising members engaging the bloclr telescopically andhaving stops.

on the members engaging the webs to prevent ,undue insertion of said members into said block,

thereby leavin the peripheral portion of said block outside'of said webs wholly unobstructed to receive a continuous peripheral mortar seal of uniform cross-section.

9. In a wall structure, including a hollow build-' ing block having a web forming longitudinal horizontal dead air spaces, in combination with reinforcing aligning and sealing members said members extending partially into and having portions engaging the interior of the end of the block to space the members therefrom to receive sealing material between the members and the end portion of the block, said members having reduced portions forming stops engaging the web portions of said members adapted to enter the next adjacent hollow block thereby aligning the adjacent blocks and effectively reinforcing and sealing the vertical joints between the blocks, said seals comprising members engaging the block telescopically and having stops on the members engaging the webs to prevent undue insertion,

of said members into said block, thereby leaving the peripheral portion of said block outside of said webs wholly unobstructed to receive a continuous peripheral mortar seal of uniform crosssection.

10. In a portable building construction comprising reinforced hollow blocks engaging in coacting relation and forming united vertical walls connected at their ends to form corners, said blocks laid in horizontal layers having staggered vertical joints in the adjacent layers in combination with sealing members engaging the interior of end portions of adjacent ends of the blocks and sealing material in both the vertical and horizontal joints of said walls said sealing material also engaging said members, said walls also in further combination with horizontal tie rods locatedin said Vertical walls and corner sealing members, said rods extending longitudinally through and beyond the ends of said walls and aving the ends of the tie rods engaging and securing said corner sealing members to the exposed open ends of the hollow blocks at the corners of the building construction.

11. In a building construction composed of vertical walls united to form corners, said walls comprising reinforced hollow blocks laid in horizontal layers forming horizontal joints each layer having staggered vertical joints relative to the adjacent layers, in combination with sealing and 50v reinforcing members, said members engaging the interior end portions of adjacent ends of said blocks and sealing material in both said horizontal and vertical joints-of said walls, said sealing material also engaging said members, said walls also in further combination with tie rods and corner sealing members, said tie rods being located in said walls and extending longitudinally through and beyond the ends thereof and engaging said comer sealing members and securing said members over the exposed open ends of the hollowblocks construction.

12. Ina substructure comprising a combined aligning reinforcing and sealing member including united longitudinal portions substantially at i a right angle to each other, said portions having at the corners of the wall tlnuous, unobstructed sealing space of uniform cross-section between the adjacent ends of aligned blocks.

'13. In a substructure comprising a combined aligning, reinforcing and sealing member including united longitudinal portions substantially at a right angle to each other, said portions having intermediate their ends corrugations extending transversely and inwardly from the outer surface thereof, said portions having recesses in their opposite edges forming spacing stops on the corrugations at the edges of the corrugations, said stops being located within the peripheral outline of said member, whereby the stops are adapted to engage webs only of a reinforced building block, and whereby the stops are spaced, at least, a distance equal to the thickness of the block wall, from the exterior surface of said wall, thereby leaving a continuous unobstructed sealing space of uniform crosssection between the adjacent ends of aligned blocks.

14. In a substructure comprising a combined aligning, reinforcing and sealing member including united longitudinal portions substantially at a right angle to each other said portions having flanges at the free edges thereof and corrugations intermediate theends of the members, said corrugations forming depressions transversely in the outer portions, said portions also having recesses in their edges forming space ing stops on the corrugations adjacent the opposite edges of the corrugations, said stops being located within the peripheral outline of said member, whereby the stops are adapted to engage webs only of a reinforced. building block, and whereby the stops are spaced, at least, a distance equal to the thickness of the block wall, from the exterior surface of said wall, thereby leaving a continuous, unobstructed sealing space of uniform cross-section between the adjacent ends of aligned blocks. 1

15. In a substructure comprising a combined aligning reinforcing and sealing member having united longitudinal portions extending substantially at right angles to each other, said portions having flanges at the edges thereof, said portions also having recesses in their opposite edges forming spacing stops, said flanges extending inwardly from said portions, the flange on one portion being substantially parallel to the other portion, said portions having depressions extending transversely and intermediate the ends thereof, saidstops being located within the peripheral outline of said member, whereby the stops are adapted tov engage webs only of reinforced building blocks, and I 'of uniform cross-section between the adjacent ends of aligned blocks.

16. In a wall structure including a. hollow block having radiating reinforcing webs located longitudinally therein, said webs forming horizontal dead air spaces in said block, in combination with aligning, reinforcing and sealing means, said means extending into and telescopically receiving the endof the hollow block, said means having reduced portions forming stops engaging at least one of said webs of said blocks, said means extending from the end of said hollow block and adapted to extend into and be telescopically received by the and of an adjacent hollow block, said means being sufficiently spaced from said block to receive sealing material between said means and said blocks, said reduced portion-s being adapted to limit the telescopic insertion of said aligning means into said blocks, the end of each block peripherally and outside of the webs being entirely-unobstructed by. said aligning means, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks is adapted to receive a peripherally and unobstructed body of sealing material of substantially uniform cross-section.

17. A wall structure including a hollow block having vertical, horizontal and longitudinal portions interiorly thereof forming horizontal dead air spaces in said block, in combination with an aligning, reinforcing and sealing member extending partially telescopically into the end of the end portion of an adjacent-hollow block, said member having, concave portions substantially r at its center and at the end of the block, said member having a reduced portion forming a stop to engage an interior portion of said hollow block, said concave portions being spaced from the end of the block whereby sealing material may be received between the member and the end portion of the block, the end of said block peripherally and outside of its interior portions being entirely unobstructed by said member, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks is adapted to receive a peripherally unobstructed continuous body of sealing material of substantially uniform cross-section.

18. In a wall structure including a hollow building block having longitudinal vertical and horizontal reinforcing webs forming horizontal longitudinal dead air spaces, the top and bottom walls of said blocks having reinforcing corrugations forming relatively large grooves in said walls, said grooves being located on each side of the vertical web, said groove adapted to receive tie rods and sealing material whereby said blocks may be securely tied together and the horizontal joints securely sealed, in combination with a sealing member for the end portions of the block, said sealing member extending partially into the block and partially spaced from theinterior of said block, the end of said block peripherally and outside of the webs entirely unobstructed by said member, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks is adapted to receive a peripherally unobstructed continuous body of sealing material of substantially uniform cross-section.

19. In a wall structure including reinforced hollow building blocks arranged horizontally and longitudinally of the wall structure and having their hollow portions also extending horizontally and longitudinally of the wall structure, said blocks being T-shaped in cross-section and laid in staggered relation producing extensive overlapping of said blocks both vertically horizontally and longitudinally in said wall structure whereby any straight line drawn transversely through said wall structure will of necessity pass through a dead air space formed by the hollow blocks, in combination with means to tie said wall structure together both horizontally longitudinally and vertically, substantially as described.

20. In a wall structure including hollow building blocks having'longitudinal reinforcing webs in each block, said webs forming longitudinal dead air spaces in said blocks and wall structure, said dead air spaces and blocks extending longitudinally and horizontally of said wall structure, in combination with aligning reinforcing and sealing means, said means extending into and telescopically received by the ends of adjacent hollow blocks, said means having reduced portions forming stops engaging, at least, one web of each of two adjoining horizontal blocks, said aligning means being sufiiciently spaced from said blocks at the vertical joints thereof to receive sealing material between said means and said blocks, said reduced portions being adapted to limit the telescopic insertion of said aligning means into said blocks, the end of each block peripherally and outside of the webs thereof being entirely unobstructed by said aligning means, whereby the space between the ends of adjacent blocks are adapted to receive a peripherally unobstructed body of sealing material of substantially uniform cross-section. 1

21. A- wall structure including superposed hollow building blocks forming a corner structure of said wall structure, said corner structure being provided with vertical tie plates forming seals for the open ends of the corner blocks, said superposed blocks having vertical 'webs and opposed reinforcing corrugations on each side of the vertical Webs, said corrugations forming horizontal channels, said tie plates having horizontal apertures at the ends of the channels, combined sealing and horizontal tying means located in" NESTOR N. TOMASULO. 

